Hot vs. cold water: does temperature really matter?

The age-old hydration debate continues: should you reach for steaming water or ice-cold? For years, we’ve been told more water is always better for health, but the optimal temperature remains surprisingly elusive. The good news? It might not matter as much as you think.

The hydration question: hot or cold?

Experts like clinical dietician Lucy Yu, RD, from Keck Medicine of USC, are putting the brakes on the intense debate. “Both hot and cold water are beneficial to help maintain daily hydration,” Yu explains. The key isn't the temperature itself, but the simple act of drinking enough fluids. But there are nuances, particularly regarding when each might offer an advantage.

While the